Google Maps allows users to (re) add and edit roads

Google plans to introduce a new feature to Google Maps that will allow users to draw missing roads directly on the map, apparently improving the service’s coverage in some areas where Google’s data sources are not comprehensive.

This feature is only available on the desktop version of Google Maps, not on mobile apps. And it will – at least for the time being – be offered in 80 countries. Google says it will “vet” these proposed map changes before publishing them so other users can see them.

This is how Google works:

If you see a path missing on maps.google.com, click the side menu button, go to ‘Edit Map’ and select ‘Missing Path’. Now the power to map is in your hands! Add missing roads by drawing lines, renaming roads quickly, changing the direction of the road and correcting or removing incorrect roads.

This is not the first time that Google has offered users the opportunity to edit its maps. The company previously ran a tool called Map Maker, which acted as a kind of Wikipedia-like community map. However, the tool that was encountered stopped and started as moderation became an issue, and Google finally pulled the plug on it in 2017. However, a limited portion of Map Maker features were made available to super users who use Google ‘Local Guides ‘call.

The new map editing features are more precise and powerful and will be available to more people. Google has not said how it can better deal with the moderation challenges they have faced with previous community-based maps.

In the same blog post used to announce the new map editing feature, Google also unveiled a promotional campaign to persuade Android users to leave more reviews for local businesses, and it also introduces a new Maps feature as ‘photo updates’. Users will be able to post photos with short text entries that go along with it, but without having to resolve a review. The hope is that this feature will lead to more useful photos that can help potential visitors identify things like the availability of parking spaces, seats and other details that can determine the decisions of users whether they are going somewhere or not.

Google’s instructions for using the photo update feature are as follows:

Go to the “Updates” tab if you’re looking at a place in Google Maps to see the latest photos shared by merchants and others. To add your own update, tap the “upload a photo update” button, select your photos, leave a short description and post. You can post as many photos as you want and find photo updates that others have left in the Updates tab.

Google says photo updates will roll out ‘in the coming weeks’, while the road maintenance tool will reach users in the coming months. ‘

List by Google